<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><blockquote type="cite"><div>Seems to me that scarcity is a GOOD thing for Erlang programmers. Java coders are a dime a dozen (not necessarily good ones, mind you). Folks who know Erlang are harder to find - should drive the price up.<br></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Am I the only one seeing how wrong this statement is?</div><div>Basic ECON-101 predicts that people buy more of the "stuff", when the "stuff" is cheaper, and, conversely, less of the "stuff" when the "stuff" is more expensive; thus, the obvious outcome cannot be a "GOOD for thing Erlang programmers", as they would eventually go extinct. </div><div>Or let me rephrase it -- it may be a "GOOD thing for Erlang programmers" until a cheaper alternative is found. </div><div><br></div><div>If Erlang is to be taken seriously, it has to be seen to have a value beyond (somewhat myopic) value derived by individual programming mercenaries. </div><div><br></div><div>Within the organization I work for, we have used Erlang for every project since 2002 (and there's been many projects since, and many more to come). Currently we are on average 30% cheaper than our competitors (that are using Java, etc.) and, mind you, still making a reasonable profit that allowed our organization to grow.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000"><br></font>Short version: If I were hiring for a project that was inherently concurrent, and required 24x7 operation - I'd be LOOKING for Erlang on a resume. Someone who spent most of their time coding Java would be a non-starter.<br></div></blockquote></div><br><div>Indeed, for as long as this project may be realized with reduced cost, as a consequence of being more appropriate than Java equivalent.</div><div>But, also, the fact that one knows Erlang, does not mean that such a person knows how to put it to good use.</div><div><br></div><div>Kind reagards</div><div><br></div><div>V/</div></body></html>